The Feminism and Psychology Undergraduate Prize 1999: Prizewinning Entry

February 2000 in “ Feminism & Psychology ”

Jo Willmott

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome PCOS hirsutism menstrual irregularities infertility Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome PCOS

TLDR The entry showed that PCOS negatively affects women's self-image and is worsened by societal expectations, suggesting a need for more feminist attention to the condition.

The prizewinning entry for The Feminism & Psychology Undergraduate Prize 1999 by Jo Willmott was a study on women's experiences with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), involving 30 participants. The research, conducted through semi-structured interviews, explored the impact of PCOS symptoms on women's gendered identities, particularly focusing on feelings of 'freakishness' and deviation from 'normal' femininity due to hirsutism, menstrual irregularities, and infertility. The findings revealed the psychological toll of PCOS on women's sense of self and highlighted the societal pressures that intensify these negative feelings. The study called for increased feminist awareness and activism to address the implications of PCOS on women's health and identity.

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